Labour exploitation in the Australian construction industry: risks and protections for temporary migrant workers

Research report no.02

Abstract | There have been a number of alleged cases of labour exploitation involving temporary migrant
workers in Australia since the late 1990s. The Australian construction industry was identified as
particularly problematic, with allegations of deception in relation to work contracts, lack of
compliance with employment standards, limited autonomy and threats of abuse levelled. In
response to these concerns, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart Josephite Counter-
Trafficking Project and the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney commissioned the Australian
Institute of Criminology to undertake research on labour exploitation in the Australian
construction industry, with a particular focus on temporary migrant workers.